University of Denver students and others use the RTD light rail to get to and from the campus to downtown Denver on May 14. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

I recently moved to Denver from Chicago and I have one jarring issue that I cannot quite wrap my head around, specifically regarding local light rail trains. RTD basically operates on the “honor system,” meaning there are no turnstiles in order to gain access to trains. That translates into anyone and everyone getting aboard the train and riding for free. The train pulls up and anyone can get on board.

Sure, there have been incidents in which a transit cop will board at a certain stop and walk down the aisle to check tickets, but what I’ve observed is that the more savvy freeloaders will get off immediately once they see the uniformed personnel on the approaching platform, so no one really gets caught without a ticket unless they’re slow.

I have often wondered why the train here is so expensive, and the answer is obvious — to reconcile the free riders with the suckers who actually pay for it.

Steve Howard, Denver

This letter was published in the Aug. 17 edition.

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